Mole trap



W. W. SMITH.

MOLE TRAP.

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MoLE- TRAP. APPLICTlON FILED JUNE 22, 192|.

Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

INI/ENTOR ATTORN K6' en., l2, i922.

rear

WALLACE W. SIv'lTH, 03F 'PRAIRIE CITY, OREGN.

Application nlell June 22,

citizen ot the United of Prairie City, in the c `iitonn maar.

W SMITH, a

ounty and useful improvements in Mole Traps7 ot which the 'following` is a specification.

My invention relates rected to an improved cially l M* improved trap is i heling provided With he sunk the ground so that a mole passing will trip the trap.

. principal object of to traps. and is diliorm oit trap espeadapted to catch moles. y

oil the ivell-knoivn amener-loop type, the usual form ofithis trap a Wire loop adapted to around a mole tunnel.,

through the tunnel my invention is `to provide a trap oi' the choker-loop type in which mole coming int 'l 'ection will he caught are caught only when c two directions. ordinar tunnel; and I helieve th devise a trap adapted to o the trap from Vany with equal facility.

ln the 'usual trap. as ahove indicated. moles omino from one ot ily deined by the at I am the Vfirst to catch moles passingthereunder. regardless of the direction from "which they come. tirfularly adapted to section ot tivo or more tunnels. creasing'` its opportunities for moles.

ln order to set traps in position. the dirt hein the triV .ejer ymechanism ohject ot my invention i especially adapted l setting in this manner.

My trap is therefore parhe located at the intertherehy incatching ot this type accuis desirable `and the dirt at that located gr then replaced and set. An important .s to providev a trap tor convenient and rapid More iriarticularly,

l have provided a trap havinga large open space through which. the

dirt which heen removed may readily he `packed around the choker-loop or loops without interference 'hr ohstruction trom the trigger mechanism.

.fi-.n ancillary object is having: trigger mechanism which out ot position While the with dirt. and which he readily set Without dis- For this purpose l temporarily shifted trap is heilig'` packed thereafter may turoinfr the packing.

to provide a trap may he prefer to provide means for temporarily Licking; the spring mem bers ot the trap in heilig released when tion the provision ot a trap in which 192i. serial No. 479,433.

operative position While the trap is being packed vvithfdirt,` said temporary members the permanent trigger mechanism is set.

Another important feature of my inventhe frame carrying the trigger mechanism he setv flush ivith-theasurface of the ground, regardless of Whether the choker-loop can he inserted in the ground to its full normal depth. rlhis is especially valuable where the mole tunnel passes over rock or other obstructions, under which circumstances the choker-loop rests on the obstruction and the framework ot the ordinary trap is supportedahove the surface of the ground. Traps sprung under these conditions are very likely to permit the escape oi' the mole, and ohviously `are not sinungr` with the same readiness as` a constructionsuch as that devised hy me.l

l may also emhody in my `trap several minor improvements which `add materially to the effectiveness of the trap under workinp; conditions. lThese will` he apparent from the tolloivine detailed description; hut several ot them accomplish objects `ot some im.-` portance. For one thing. fl have provided temporary locking means tor the trap sprin .Q1 which is automatically released when the permanent triefoger mechanism is set. therehlv preventing the user from orsettinrz to release the temporary lock. therehy renderingthe trap useless.

.l have also provided moansiivhcreliy the sensitiveness ot the trigger mechanism may he varied to suit diit'erent conditions or the taste ot thev user. The preterred construction disclosed is furthermore particularly adapted for easy setting, as will he set forth hereafter.

llVhile mv `invention relates chiefly to a mole trap. another ohject is to provide a trap of' this generaltype which may also he adapted to catch other small animals.

Another and important object isvto provide a practical trap having some or all of the ahoveadvantages and which at the same time will he` essentially cheap4 and easy to manufacture, simple in construction and readily made strong' enoua' to withstand lonaand severe use.- i f Other objects and advantages of my invention Will he apparent tromthe following descriptiomtaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, lin which:

Figl is afperspective view of a preferred form of my trap in set position at the intersection of two mole tunnels, Y

Figs. 2 and 3 are details of the temporary locking mechanism, y

` Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modified form,

'F ig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a modiiied type of trigger pan,` ,l

F ig. 6. is a, plan view of another' `modification, and y N Fig; 7 isa fragmentary perspective view of a modifiedA form `of spring'.

The preferred form of trap shown in Fig.'

1 includes a frame 10 which may be rectangularvin shape and kadapted to rest fiat on the surface of theV ground. For ease in packingther trap with dirt frame 10, regardless of the exact shape thereof, is preferably provided with a substantially open center 11.

vrods'15and 16 kextending across opposite sides of the frame 10, each of the rods being connected vto spring means `carried by the frame normally tending to elevate the rods and draw the choker-loop unit 12 upward until the bottom wires13j are adjacent con.- tiguous portionsof the frame 10. Various `forms of" spring construction and arrange-y ment'for this purpose may be employed, several being` well known to those skilled in the art. In the `preferred form shown in Fig. 1

the ends of rods 15 and 16 are provided with inwardly directed extensions 17 and connected to springs 18 lmounted on opposite sides of the frame 10, `by providing said frame with opposed earsA 19. connected by pins 2() passing-through the springs 18 to hold them 'in place. ln the preferred form shown springs 18, extensions 17 and the rods 15 and 16 mayall be formed from a. single .piece ofspring wire, producing a very cheap construction; but this may be varied considera-bly as hereinafter indicated.

I provide `my improved trap with a ltrigger pan 21 of the usual type located aplproXimatelyin .the center of frame 1() and [having-'a shank 22 pivotally mounted on the- A cheap and 5 strong construction frame. for this purpose includes spaced lugs23fintegral with theframe, anda pintle 241 passing through the lugs and through shank 22. For a purpose hereinafter indicated pintle ,depressed by saidtri, 'tent to release hooi; 31,

24, as shown best in JFig. 2, is longitudinally slidable in lugs l23, being` provided at one end with a head or other retaining element 25, and at the other end with a hoolr strucfture 26, the purposeof which will be hereinafter indicated.

` In the preferred form shown in Fig. 1, l employ a separate trigger for each'of the rods15 and 16. The trigger 27 for rod 16 may be formed of stiff wire ha fiiigv an end pivotally mounted on the frame 10 `as by Ylooping the end of the-trigger loosely about rod 15 and under trigger 2i", the two triggers being suitably contoured so that this engagement may readily be accomplished. ne convenient method is to provide' trigger `28 with laterally projectimg` extension R0 adapted to be located under trigger 27.

The operation 'of the trap will be appar1M ent, as the parts are so proportioned that trigger pan 21 may be elevated sufliciently by a mole displacing the dirt therebeneath so that hook 29 will be swung outwardly and downwardly to release the end of trigger 27. The upward pressure of rods 15 and 16 on triggers 2?" and 28 will 'swing the latter upwardly and outwardly about their ipiivots,

permitting said rods to. spring upwardly,

drawingthe choker-loop unit 12 up through the soil and catching` themole between one of the bottom rods 13 and the adjacent portion of frame 1G, regardless of the direction from which the mole comes.

l preferably construotand arrange the parts so that the dirt may readilybe packed about the choker-.loop unit 12y through a suitably provided space in frame 10, pref erablryat the center thereof. With the construction indicated it is necessary to `swingtrigger 27 and pan out oftheway; and for this purpose I provide temporary means forloclring rods 15 and 16 in place. One construction for this purpose is shown in Figs. 1'. 2 and .3. For retaining rodl l may employ a shorthook 31 which may be loosely pivoted about bar 280vof'the frame and `located tolengage rod 16 when in depressed or set position. s shown in Fig. 3. hoolr 31 when engaging rod lpreferably is substantially off center` being` held in engagement with the rod only bythe upward pull therecn of'spring 17. 'With this arrangement when .trigger 27'is set after the tran has been packed with dirt, rod 16 will be @er to `a sufficient eX- which will then drop back into inoperative `position as shown in i se' Fig. l.7 leaving; rod lo free to spring' up- .vai.dly when the trap is tripped Without interference 'from the hook. Y

Sincetrigger 28 is relatii'elv short, l may lock rod l5 in. place hy piol iding means for temporarily holding trigger inset position. For this purpose 1l. preferably employ a lug or projectionconnected to the 'traine l under which trigger may he slipped while `the trigger pan 2l and trigger :2T are throivnhach during packing.` ot the trap, the trigger 93T being slipped out oic engagement with the retaining` projection and into posi'- tion under trigger heen set. l have round that a cheap and convenient arrangement for this purpose is to form the trigger-retaining` projection as a hook extension (Fig. 2) on the end oit pintle 2li', the parts heling,I so proportioned that when trigger is in hook 32, the trigger thrown hack; ind When the extensionl() is swung inwardly. under trigger 2T, tiel shank of trigger. 28 will entirely clear hook 32. ln this manner it will he impossible i'or a careless operator to leave the temporary re taining means in. engagement with trigger Q8 ruhen/ghe trap is i'inally set.

lt is sometimes desirahle to vary the sensitiveness of the trap; and for. this purpose l have provided means which Will press upwardly against the trigger mechanism to in# ermee the `trictional engagement between trigger 55" and hoolr 29, thereby increasing the resistance to movement of the trigger pan 2l. highly Convenient arrangement for this purpose includes the 'rori'nation on the end oi' hook 32 (llip. 2) of an extension 532% the upper portion oi:l which preferably indented.. lllhen it is desired to increase the stiffness oi" the trigger inechauisimr pintle Z4 is rotated. until the extension l?) is located helow the plane oitiinj;er 2S when 'thelatter is in .set position. Extension 33 then pushed undertrignjcr Zh pint-le 2li sliiling.` in itshore until the .epression'in the extension is located :ufcuratelv under the trigger. By sivininnl extension 33% upwardly and outwardly? it will he wedged under trigger 28, exerting; an .upward` pressure thereon proportionate Vto the degree to which extension 33 is forced under the trigger. TWhile various other constructions for this purpose may oliiviously he employed. Within the scope of my invention7 it will he apparent that l. have `greatly .clieapened and strengthened the construction hy employing a single element as pintle 24h hool: and extension As ahove noted` an important feature of my invention is the provision of a trap in. Which the iframe l0 may .rest upon the surface of the ground. regardless of the distance helow the itfraine at which the bottom Wires 13 oit thel cluiher loop unit are' .loc-ated, l accomplish this ohject hy providing the after the latter hasv engagement with pan 2l is "tree towher choker-loop unit upri-f'fhts lli with 'vertical slots fin which rods lo and this result being readily achieved in the con' struction shown hy slightly spacing the two ji'vires forming' the uprights ill-i; hut other c(instructions are equally suited. to this purpose. llllith this arrangement "the trap may he set regardless oi hcw far the upper ends oi? upiipghts ll are located above the set position oli rods l5 :ind lo gand a mole passing into the trap will spring` the latter e'dec tively., since the iframe is resting' 'liet on the surface of the ground shore the inole tunnel. n Fig-s. 4 to 'i' l' have illustrated sonne .oil the many modiiications of the forro shown in Fig. l which may he employed i i. vhin the Scope of my invention. ln l have shown the employment ot separate springs loreach of the roes l5 and lo, the springs 18'LL connected to rod .l5 oeingv mounted on lugs projectin; inwardly 'from the traine l0 and the springs" il" connected to rod 1G heing mounted ,on hure at the outside oi the frame. l hare also shown a diiierent trigger arrangement, the trigger 2S engagingextensions 1T. llrhile douhle trigger arrangement such as is shown in Fig, l might he employed with this construciion, it it; is not strictly necessary.

In Fig. 6 I have' shown both rods l5 and lo as mounted on studs 534i() projecting in- Wardly from the frame l0. lWith this ar rangementthe extensions 17 cross each other at 36 so that the employment ei. a trif 2S il'orroftaining` rod lin position is adequate, the extension i7 of rod serving to hold rod 1G its extensions in set posi tion. f

ln Fig. 7 l have shown an application of the 'flat spring; 37 to my invention, this type oi'.2 springbeing Well known in connection with traps. Tn this arrangement the extensions 17 at erich side 0in. the 'trarne pivoted in a central lug` adjacent the center of the tranieijanc pass through the usual openii'ie 3Q at the end operation ol' this construction. apparent.

ln Fig. I have illustrated another 'forni oit trigger-engaging device mountedr on the shank 22 of? the trigger pan. In this `constri tion I pro tl' allyprojectinp lug 4:0 under which the extension 30 oit' trigger 28 or 28 may extend, iiun may he so proportioned that when trigger pan 2l is sivung either upwardly or downwardly the trigger 28 ivill he released.. l. also 4may provide a laterally extending lun' Lil adapted to engagietriggger 28 when the pan 2l is thrown upwardly while the trap is heine' packed with dirt.

V As hereto-fore .indicated under certain circumstancesniy trap may also he used to catch ,c ophers squirrels rats and other sinlall animals oil similar nature. For ihispurpose Ait vis :'.foinetiines desirable `to connect hait to spring` 37. "lhe e .shank With a' later-` li are slidahle,

iis

the trigger pan 2l in the usual way; and the larrangement shown in Fig. 5 is especially trap is employed for rats, squirrels or the like, the construction of the pan permits'it to be placed in any desired location.

I may also construct my trap so that the trigger pan 2l will be projected downwardly at right angles to the plane of the frame l0 so as to be located across a tunnel or the entrance to a burrow. F or this purpose I provide a laterally projecting lug l2 on the shank 22 so that the trigger may be set with the pan in the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5. y

While I have described a preferred form of my invention, which hasbeen care-fully worked outwith the idea of producing a particularly cheap, strong and readily manufactured article, and have indicated certain modifications, it will be apparent that numerous other changes in `my preferred construction may be employed within the scope of mv invention. Furthermore, my improved trap includes a number of features;

and my invention is not limited to the com-` bin ation of all of these features, but includes them separately, as they may be embodied independently in other types of trap.

I claim: f f

l. In a subterranean animal trap, the combination with a substantially open frame adapted forground surface support and for earthreplacement through the opening, of a ohoker-loop unit adapted to be located beneath the surface of the ground and completely surrounding a central zone, and means located at the surface of the ground for drawing said unit upwardly, set in operation by activity of an animal in said` central zone.

2.,In `a subterranean animal trap, a choker-loop unit adapted to be located beneath the surface of the ground and completely surrounding a central zone, means yfor actuating said unit, and an openecenter frame carrying said means and unit adapte ed to vbe located on the surface of the ground.

3. In a subterranean: animal trap, a substantially` rectangular frame with a central opening for earth Ireplacement and adapted to rest on the surface of the ground, trip .mechanism carried by the frame, a czhokerdoop unit' extending below the frame' and completely surrounding the zone of actuation of' said trip mechanism, and means `actuated by said mechanism for operating the choker-loop unit.

In la subterranean animal trap,v a

'substantially rectangular open frame adapt Ved to rest on the `surface of the ground.

choker rods normally located beneath said surface in register with `the yframe and, com

-rights at the corners of said portion, a frame adapted to rest on the surface of the ground and having portions in vertical register with the bottom portion of the choker-loop unit,

a large central portion of saidframe being open and unobstructed to permit earth re.- placement,-spring means carried bythe frame for operating said unit, and trip mechanism for controlling the operating means having an actuating portion in verti calalignment with the center of said rectangular bottom portion of the choker-loop unit.

6. In 'a subterranean animal trap, a substantially rectangular choker-loop unit including uprights located at the corners of the choker unit, spring means normally located aty the surface of the ground for operating said unit, and a shiftable connection between said uprights and means adapted to permit variations in the relation between said means and unit when the trap is in set position, said connection including means carriedby ysaid uprights in which the spring means is longitudinally slidable.

7. In a subterranean animal trap, a substantially 'rectangular chokereloop unit includingV uprights located at the cornersV of the choker unit, spring means normally Cit located at the surface of the ground for operating said unit, and a shiftable connection between said uprights and means adapted to permit variations in the relation between said means and unit when the trap is in s'etv position, said connection including a longitudinal slot in each upright in which the spring means is vertically slidable.

8. In va subterranean animal trap, a choker-loop .unit completely surrounding an actuating zone, a yframe adapted to be located on the surface of the ground in register with said unit, said frame having a` central aperture of substantialv extent through which dirt may be packed about insonni said unit, and operating means for said unit carried by the frame. A

9. n a subterranean animal trap, a choker-loop unit, a frame having an opening 'for paelingthe unit with flirt, spring means carried by the frame for operating the unit, trigger means ior controlling the spring means normally extending into the opening when the trap is set, and means for temporarily maintaining the spring means and unit in set position to permit the trigger means to be swung away from the opening during packing.

l0. ln a subterranean animal trap, a choker-loop unit, a frame having an opening for packing the unit with dirla spring means carried by the frame 'for operating the unit, trigger means for controlling the spring means normally extending into the opening when the trap is set, and means or 'temporarily maintaining the spring means and unit in set position to permit the trigger' means to be swung away from the opening during packing, automatically released when the trigger means is set.

Signed at Frairie City, in the county of Grant and State of Oregon, this 10th clay of June, A. D. 192i.

WALLACE W. SMTH. 

